Samsung confirms Android 5.0 Lollipop update for Galaxy S4
Samsung has been teasing the Lollipop update for some of their most recent devices with videos and cryptic tweets, but today users of the Samsung Galaxy S4 can breath a sigh of release as the Korean manufacturer has promised an update for last year’s flagship. The international Exynos-powered variant (GT-I9500) will likely receive the update early next year with the carrier models to follow. Any Galaxy S4 users out there getting excited? Discuss in the comments below!
Source: SamMobile
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AT&T to have the Note Edge on Nov. 7
AT&T announced earlier this morning that the cousin to the Note 4, the Note Edge, will be available in select retail stores starting Tuesday, Nov. 7. While Samsung is only going to sell a select few Edges, those on AT&T will be happy to know that they’re some of those lucky enough to purchase the concept device.
Like the Note 4, the Edge boasts a QHD SAMOLED that wraps around the edge of the right side of the screen. That edge allows users to view notifications and clears up screen real estate by allowing uses to move their favorite apps to the edge. However, if you’re wanting to purchase the Edge, you’re going to have to pay an even prettier penny than you do with the Note 4.
The Note Edge is a whopping $399 with a two-year agreement or $39.42 and $47.30 on AT&T Next 18 or 12 respectively. This makes the Edge $100 more than the Note 4 on the same network. Of course that should come as no surprise given that it’s more expensive in other markets as well. If contracts or monthly installments aren’t your thing, you can get the Edge for $945.99. Mobile Senior VP Jeff Bradley had this to say about the Edge.
“The Galaxy Note Edge pushes innovation with a second curved screen on the edge which is highly functional, making it a great smartphone for consumers and the perfect addition to AT&T’s leading device portfolio. The customizable edge display provides you easy access to your news, notifications and favorite apps, with the ability to continue your activities on your main screen.”
AT&T isn’t the only one with Edge news. Sprint tells us that with Easy Pay, Well-qualified buyers can purchase the Note Edge with $0 down (plus tax) for 24-monthly payments of $35. But if you have deep pockets or an extra organ to sell on the black market, and you’re on AT&T, you’re eight days away from getting the Note Edge on AT&T.
source: AT&T
Come comment on this article: AT&T to have the Note Edge on Nov. 7
Samsung Galaxy Note Edge due in U.S. November 14
Samsung on Monday announced the upcoming availability of the Galaxy Note Edge. As the first device of its kind, it will be offered with the big five carriers: Verizon, AT&T, Sprint, T-Mobile, and U.S. Cellular. Pricing will be shared by the various wireless providers in short time.
Powered by Android 4.4 KitKat, the Note Edge features a 5.6-inch Quad HD Super AMOLED display that bleeds over the right hand edge. Internally, the phone packs a 2.7GHz quad-core processor, 16-megapixel rear camera with OIS, 32GB internal storage, and 3GB RAM. Toss in a host of Samsung apps and services, a variety of sensors, and some developer-friendly API’s, and the Galaxy Note Edge has the makings of an ongoing series.
Look for the Galaxy Note Edge in Charcoal Black and Frost White at carriers, retailers, and other outlets.
Pricing for various network operators breaks down as so:
- Sprint: $0 down (plus tax) and 24 monthly payments of $35 (SRP: $840; excluding taxes; service plan required).
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Samsung Galaxy S6 has ‘Project Zero’ code name, report says
With the year winding down and the Galaxy Note 4 and Galaxy Note Edge technically “behind” us, it’s time to look ahead. Yes indeed, we’re ready to start tracking rumors for the Samsung Galaxy S5 successor. Presumably named the Galaxy S6, it’s likely six months away.
According to SamMobile, Samsung has adopted quite a unique code name for the upcoming prodcut. Allegedly, the S6 will operate under the code name of Project Zero. Interesting, sure, but don’t know what it implies. Our gut says it’s a “let’s start all over” mentality that could see them pulling out all the stops.
With Samsung’s numbers and luster dipping a bit over the last few years we’re interested in seeing them start anew.
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Android Lollipop for the Samsung Galaxy S4 confirmed, coming in early 2015
Now there’s a face we haven’t seen in awhile. The Samsung Galaxy S4 has fallen somewhat out of the limelight some 19 months after its release, but that doesn’t mean Samsung has forgotten about its highest selling device to date (if the Galaxy S5 has broken any records, Samsung is keeping awfully quiet about it). SamMobile has acquired information that confirms that Android Lollipop for the Samsung Galaxy S4 is definitely coming and will be out sometime early next year, we’d expect around the same time Lollipop drops for the Galaxy S5, once all the carrier bloating has already occured.
The TouchWiz experience on the Galaxy S4 should be quite similar to that which you’ll find on the Galaxy S5, of which we’ve already had multiple sneak peeks at. We’re actually pretty impressed that Samsung is going to update the Galaxy S4, mainly because it’s a bit of a stretch of its 18 month update guarantee and given Samsung’s sometimes spotty reputation with device updates. That said, the Galaxy S4 still ranks pretty high on Samsung’s hierachy of devices despite its age, but Galaxy S4 owners should be expecting Android Lollipop to be their last update unless the smartphone giant changes its policies.
What do you think about Android Lollipop for the Samsung Galaxy S4 being confirmed? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.
Source: SamMobile
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Global smartphone market share for Android has peaked, says Strategy Analytics
We always knew Android was going to conquer the world, but it appears it may have conquered as much of it is possible already in the current business climate. According to the latest report from Strategy Analytics, global smartphone market share for Android has already peaked after it recorded a 84% market share in the third quarter this year, down 1% over its maximum of 85% market share that it held in the second quarter. The reason that Android isn’t able to push further than this 85% mark is because unless Apple disappears, around 12% market share will stay with the iPhones, with the remaining 3-4% divided among the Windows Phones and the BlackBerrys.
Platform wars aside, there are stories to be told within Android’s statistics as well. In the third quarter, devices shipped with forked versions of Android hit 37%, down 2% from the 39% of the second quarter, meaning Google could slowly be gaining more control over what software runs on Android devices. A similarly interesting narrative in the report is Samsung‘s fall from grace – the giant held 35% of Android smartphones one year ago, but has since slumped to 25%. A big reason for this is the impressive performance of Chinese competitor, Xiaomi, who’s low-cost devices are making Samsung pay in markets where high-profit margins are hard to maintain.
What do you think about all this business news? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.
Source: WSJ via Phone Arena
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Collusion a defense for Samsung in Microsoft suit over patent payments?
In response to a lawsuit filed by Microsoft against Samsung accusing the Korean electronics giant of delaying patent payments, Samsung indicates in a new filing that possible antitrust issues created by Microsoft’s acquisition of Nokia violate the patent licensing agreement.
The agreement between Samsung and Microsoft was struck in 2011 and called for Samsung to make royalty payments to Microsoft to cover patented technology in Samsung’s Android-powered devices. As part of the agreement the companies also agreed to share confidential business information as part of an effort for Samsung to sell more Windows-powered devices.
Since then, Microsoft acquired Nokia and became a direct competitor to Samsung in the smartphone hardware space. According to Samsung’s filing, the “agreements, now between competitors, invite charges of collusion” from U.S. regulators.
Microsoft thinks their case is strong, probably in part because antitrust regulators around the world approved the Microsoft/Nokia deal. The claim by Samsung that the patent agreement now creates a collusion problem seems like an unusual position that Microsoft may not have anticipated.
source: Reuters
Come comment on this article: Collusion a defense for Samsung in Microsoft suit over patent payments?
Samsung worries that its Microsoft royalty payments amount to collusion
Samsung was quick to cite the acquisition of Nokia as a reason for holding out on Microsoft’s royalty payments, but there weren’t many details. Just what had it spooked? Thanks to some new court filings, we now have a clearer sense of its motivations. Simply put, the Korean tech giant is worried about “charges of collusion” now that Microsoft is a direct competitor in the smartphone business. The patent deal requires that Samsung not only make Windows Phones, but hand over sensitive business details — both big problems when Microsoft could use them to gain a competitive edge. Samsung already stopped handing over those trade secrets over jitters that American antitrust regulators would step in.
It’s not clear that the court will buy this argument. While there is a real concern about working too closely with a competitor, that doesn’t necessarily give the company an escape from its current agreement — it may still have to pay up, at least in the short term. Whether or not it does, it’s clear that Samsung doesn’t believe the royalty arrangement should continue as-is.
Filed under: Cellphones, Mobile, Samsung, Microsoft
Source: Reuters
Lollipop to make it easier to control bloatware
Do you like bloatware? I don’t like bloatware. No one likes bloatware. So why do we have bloatware? Well luckily, Android Lollipop is going to make it easier to control bloatware.
Ars Technica sat down with Google’s Gabe Cohen, who described how Lollipop will deal with bloatware. Essentially, the apps will not be installed on the system partition, but will be installed via a SIM card. So technically you could uninstall any bloatware loaded onto your phone. However this will likely only be available on Nexus and Google Play Edition devices, as carrier will probably disable this function on their devices. Still, it’s good to know that Google is doing everything they can to allow bloatware to be removed.
Do you like this new functionality?
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Sprint now leasing Samsung Galaxy S5, Galaxy S5 Sport
Sprint is one of the leading carriers in the United States, and today they have announced a new deal which might attract a lot of new customers. If you are a huge Samsung fan, and would love to get your hands on either the Samsung Galaxy S5, or Samsung Galaxy S5 Sport from Sprint, then you can get either of them on lease for just $20 a month for 24 months.
After 2 years have passed, you will have four different choices.
- You can give back your smartphone and lease another handset.
- You can purchase it if you really like it.
- You can continue leasing it on a month-by-month basis.
- You can return the device and terminate your Sprint service.
As this sounds like an amazing offer, if you are already a Sprint customer, it gets better for you. If you lease before January 15, 2015, you’ll only pay $5 per month for the handset you prefer.
Are you planning to grab one of the Galaxy’s? Let us know in the comment box below.
Source: Sprint
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